All YES Appreciation Thread

Well that was recorded on 8 track, so it was the worst recorded Genesis album in the first place.

So, now what do you think about Wakeman's solo discography? I've found many people here rather not giving credit to his solo work, but I do like it pretty much. Paricularly the mighty first 3 (6 wives, Journey, and Arthur,which I find just about as good as any Yes album), but even digging into less known latter works, I've been pleasantly surprised to find very good songs, if not whole albums, by him. Particularly the album Out There was really very good.

Dellinger wrote: So, now what do you think about Wakeman's solo discography? I've found many people here rather not giving credit to his solo work, but I do like it pretty much. Paricularly the mighty first 3 (6 wives, Journey, and Arthur,which I find just about as good as any Yes album), but even digging into less known latter works, I've been pleasantly surprised to find very good songs, if not whole albums, by him. Particularly the album Out There was really very good.

I love Wakemans solo discography. The 3 albums that you mentioned are incredible. I only own 2 others, but they are good as well. I think he has the best solo discography of all Yes members.

Dellinger wrote: OK, anyone here that likes 6 wives might just as well want to give Criminal Record a try. Very good album, first 3 tracks quiet similar to 6 wives (played with Squire on bass and White on drums), and then, Birdman of Alcatraz is a pretty beautiful piano piece, and the mighty Judas Iscariot is a piece that includes keyboards, church organ and piano, and a very cool choir, really amazing track, though perhaps a bit too long.

I'll second that - a fine LP and amongst his best work.

lazland wrote: Dellinger wrote: OK, anyone here that likes 6 wives might just as well want to give Criminal Record a try. Very good album, first 3 tracks quiet similar to 6 wives (played with Squire on bass and White on drums), and then, Birdman of Alcatraz is a pretty beautiful piano piece, and the mighty Judas Iscariot is a piece that includes keyboards, church organ and piano, and a very cool choir, really amazing track, though perhaps a bit too long. I'll second that - a fine LP and amongst his best work.

You're taking me waaaay back.  I haven't heard Criminal Record in decades I think, a friend's record.  I did like it sort of, but I wonder if my more mature ears would like it more.  Or less.  I'll have to get it.

     I have mixed fealings about this. I think it would be great to hear Benoit creating and singing new stuff with Yes, created for his own voice, instead of trying to duplicate Anderson. He did a very good job at singing Anderson's songs, but he's not Anderson, and in parts of the show that was evident. I thought Benoit was at his best when singing at his own range, and creating music with him in mind should be very interesting. Besides, the new blood might give Yes a fresh sound by young and daring musicians (if Benoit and Oliver would be up to the task).
     However, Yes is suposed to be touring with Benoit and Oliver Wakeman because Jon and Rick weren't up to the tour given their health state, so, there should be no reason for them not to make a studio album with the rest of Yes, and I wouldn't like to think that the Classic lineup of Yes is finally over, even in studio.

I totally respect when a band finds a new voice, even if its former one is a huge part of its sound (like recently The Gathering) and sometimes, I even like the new band but with Yes, it could be interesting if they find a different voice but making an album with a singer who was known to "copy" the original singer is quite strange...

Maybe but please I hope they find a singer who doesn't always remind us of Anderson without being Anderson 

^^ Here, here.  It's an interesting phenomenon with bands being a sort of brand that can stretch credulity until is finally snaps, and there's no full agreement amongst people just where and when it snaps.  When I was a child listening to, say, Yes and Led Zeppelin records, I would from time to time wonder at the thought of a guy like Robert Plant or Jon Anderson as old men, like really old men.  And here we are entering that.  I think back to that childhood thought - I remember thinking, what would they look like?,  and other stuff like that.  But I have to say I did not imagine they'd be working, especially in rock.  I guess I pictured them as retired, doing an interview here and there, writing memoirs or maybe working at a more sedentary artistic endeavor.  So knowing that Anderson (you can throw Plant in here too, and I won't further sidetrack but of course there are others) still wants to work and especially to make new stuff, that's pretty fascinating to me, pretty great just on a human level.

^
As I said, I haven't actually seen them live with Benoit, and I'm sure its alot to do with the atmosphere of being there. I also Love DRAMA, but I like Jon Anderson more (Way more)...

I understand than Jon Anderson isn't exactly the most sane human around... But, (without trying to be rude), I don't really care! Its produced what is easily my all-time favourite music.

-Joel